Flying a Flag at night when camping

[GeocamperAS]

Looking for what most ASer's do with their flag at night when camping.
Do you light it or take it down at night or just leave it up unlite?
If you light it, what do you use for a light? (120volt or 12volt or solar)

Thanks

[SteveH]

Etiquette says if you fly the flag at night, it should be lit.

Personally, I have a small 20W 12 volt flood light that plugs into the trailers 7 pin connector for power that I use. Of course, I don't do it when boondocking with no AC hookup.

[webspinner]

The only flag I fly has a flamingo with a martini glass on it. It stays up all night and day and I don't bother to light it.

[RUMSHIP]

It should be lit. If I have plug in power I use a clip on desk light that I clip on the pole pointed up at the flag. When I have no power, I swallow hard and leave it up unlit. I fly 5 flags. Airstream, California, USA, unit, and a flamingo flag. Enjoy!

[Happycampers]

We have a solar lite that fits the top of the poles...

[mapley3]

I'm still amazed that there are so many people who have no idea that there is a protocol for displaying the American flag and others with it. It's really quite simple. See the Blue Book Appendix 12 for the proper way to fly flags.

[jdalrymple]

I fly my US flag at night. I use a 12 volt spot fixture I found at Lowes in the low-voltage outdoor lighting. I attached it to a 2" magnet and just set it on the tongue. Power comes from the 7 way plug. I did replace the bulb with a 20 watt bulb and I do use it even when boondocking. I am careful to turn it on at the last moment and unplug it as soon as we are up when on battery.

Regards,

JD

[Scott J-24]

Originally Posted by Happycampers

We have a solar lite that fits the top of the poles...

This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for. Who makes it, where can I find one, and will it fit on the top of my Camco flag pole?

[GeocamperAS]

Originally Posted by Happycampers

We have a solar lite that fits the top of the poles...

I have tried a couple different solar lights but they don't last the night.
Does yours?
If so, I would love to know more about it.

[GeocamperAS]

Originally Posted by mapley3

I'm still amazed that there are so many people who have no idea that there is a protocol for displaying the American flag and others with it. It's really quite simple. See the Blue Book Appendix 12 for the proper way to fly flags.

I would agree that some do not know protocol. I see many flags at night without lights. But is it better to fly an unlit flag at night vs not flying one at all? This is not a statement. This is a question.

[AldeanFan]

FYI,
Canadian Flag Etiquette says that the Canadian Flag can be displayed at night without a light, unless on a military base.

If you see my unlit Canadian flag flying at night, no disrespect intended.

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

I fly my US flag at night. I use a 12 volt spot fixture I found at Lowes in the low-voltage outdoor lighting. I attached it to a 2" magnet and just set it on the tongue. Power comes from the 7 way plug. I did replace the bulb with a 20 watt bulb and I do use it even when boondocking. I am careful to turn it on at the last moment and unplug it as soon as we are up when on battery.

Regards,

JD

JD

I believe that if you replaced the 20 watt bulb with a 2-3 watt LED bulb that you could keep it lit all night long even when boondocking.

Dan

[Happycampers]

We have used just a $2 solar yard lite and it fits the flagpole end... got the idea from some other airstreamers... just ingenious people...

[GeocamperAS]

Originally Posted by Happycampers

We have used just a $2 solar yard lite and it fits the flagpole end... got the idea from some other airstreamers... just ingenious people...

Does it last through the night?

[GeocamperAS]

Because I camp without electric most of the time, I am looking for a solar light that lasts all night to light my flag.

Does anybody use one?

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by tiger

I would agree that some do not know protocol. I see many flags at night without lights. But is it better to fly an unlit flag at night vs not flying one at all? This is not a statement. This is a question.

Let's give this some thought. Whom are we trying to please? There is published etiquette for flying the US flag and for that matter flying other countries' flags in the USA. However they don't carrying the force of law. There is etiquette for all kinds of things in our society. Some have a purpose and some don't. Some are commonly followed, some are nearly universally ignored.
In the case of flag etiquette (which I am very well acquainted with having been in Boy Scouts, the US Navy, and having worked nearly 40 years for the US government), I follow it as closely as is convenient. For instance I do not light the US flag, if I leave it up at night. My logic is if you can see it in the dark, then obviously it is lighted by something. If you can't see it it, what the heck difference does it make if its up or not. I don't think I'm hurting its feelings.

Ken

[AldeanFan]

Originally Posted by Ag&Au

Let's give this some thought. Whom are we trying to please? There is published etiquette for flying the US flag and for that matter flying other countries' flags in the USA. However they don't carrying the force of law. There is etiquette for all kinds of things in our society. Some have a purpose and some don't. Some are commonly followed, some are nearly universally ignored.
In the case of flag etiquette (which I am very well acquainted with having been in Boy Scouts, the US Navy, and having worked nearly 40 years for the US government), I follow it as closely as is convenient. For instance I do not light the US flag, if I leave it up at night. My logic is if you can see it in the dark, then obviously it is lighted by something. If you can't see it it, what the heck difference does it make if its up or not. I don't think I'm hurting its feelings.

Ken

I agree, I was also a Boy Scout and feel the flag should be appropriately respected, but there is a limit to the inconvenience I am willing to endure to follow proper etiquette.

Unfortunately I've had some bad experriences with people interested in correcting my flag flying. The worst case I know of was one of my parents neighbours in florida who left them a nasty unsigned letter indicating how offended he was and explaining (incorrectly) the proper arrangement when flying a foreign flag. My father had put up a Canadian Flag on his garage door, on CANADA DAY!

Part flag etiquette should include how to approach someone who's doing it wrong. As long as you're not flying it upside down, draging it on the ground or using it as a table cloth, I won't be bothered enough to comment.

[polarlyse]

I too would rather see a Patriot fly the flag rather than be so intimidated by adherence to anal "rules" and not show the flag. I welcome any respectful and reasonable display of the flag by any person for any country. Lighted or not.

And this goes for our Canadians visitors too.

[dkottum]

We often fly 6 different flags at once, strongly patriotic with 58 years Navy service between us. We try to follow flag etiquette as much as reasonable.

I have seen flag lighting arrangements that poorly do the job, just a commercial effort to say, yup it's lighted. I would rather see a flag up with no artificial light than one of those "punch the ticket" efforts.

Most of all I like to see the flag displayed and in good condition as often as possible, not particularly impressed with seeing it as part of a political statement. That's what bumper stickers are for.

doug k

[sandlapper]

I tried several different solar lights, they would not burn all night and of course depended on the sun for charging. Sometimes cloudy, many times shady. Tried a 110v, didn't like dragging out a drop cord and sometimes no power anyway. Finally settled on the 12v low voltage spot light from Lowes, $5.

I made a holder for the light that attaches to the hitch latch, and power it from the wire running to the light on the jack post. Use a water proof connector to unplug it for traveling.

I have never been in the Service but I do love this country and our flags. I fly them every time we go out. The pole holder I make is a result of my wanting to keep'em flying AND look good doing it.

I will try to post some pictures tomorrow. It works really well and is easy to do.

John